Officials inaugurated a new $6.9 million radar facility at Seymour Johnson AFB, S.C, for air traffic controllers to monitor and control flights in 5,000-square miles of airspace, base officials confirmed. The 12,000-square foot Radar Approach Control facility is the first part of a three-stage construction project to house the RAPCON, airfield operations, and transient alert in a new complex, according to a Jan. 13 release. The base has undertaken several major infrastructure projects including a major runway renovation completed last September, and construction of a new control tower slated to begin next year, base spokesman SSgt. Charles Broadway told the Daily Report. Seymour Johnson’s RAPCON currently handles more than 80,000 flights a year, according to the release, Jan. 14.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.